Poughkeepsie, NY - Madeleine Rudolph was spectacular in the draw circle as she posted a career-high 10 draw controls to lead the Pride to an incredible 19-5 advantage in draws as the Hofstra women's lacrosse team captured a 14-8 victory over Marist on Thursday afternoon at Tenney Field. The five draw controls won by Marist are the fewest won by a Pride opponent since Fairfield only managed four on February 22, 2020. 

Nikki Mennella was outstanding as usual as she led the way with eight points on six goals and two assists, while also adding seven draw controls. 

The win improved Hofstra's record to 3-2, while Marist dropped to 1-4 with the loss. 

After a low-scoring first quarter, Hofstra would eventually take a 4-3 lead into halftime as back-to-back goals from Mennella in the final two-plus minutes turned a one-goal deficit into a one-goal advantage. 

With the Pride holding a narrow one-goal lead early in the third quarter, Hofstra would score three straight to open up a commanding 8-4 advantage following a goal from Kristen Redding. The lead would not get under three the rest of the way and Hofstra would hold the Red Foxes scoreless over the final six-plus minutes of the game as they pulled away for the six-goal victory.

Redding posted four points on two goals and two assists, while Shannon Steck tallied a hat trick in the game. Christine Dannenfelser contributed three ground balls, two caused turnovers, and two draw controls, while Natalie Little added three ground balls and two caused turnovers. Luchianna Cardello made four saves in net for the Pride. 

Anne Shine led Marist with three goals, while Amelia Pirozzi had three points on two goals and an assist and Kate Gaven added three points on a goal and two assists. Megan Morris had 10 saves for Marist. 

Hofstra is back in action on Saturday when it travels to Rutgers for a 12 p.m. contest. 

NOTES
- Hofstra improved to 7-1 all-time against Marist. 
- Rudolph's previous career-high in draw controls was seven against Wagner on March 5, 2024. 
- With her six goals in the game, Mennella moved into fifth place all-time at Hofstra in goals. She now has 135 and passed Kimberly Hillier (133 from 2004 to 2007) and Katie Whelan (130 from 2018 to 2022). 
- Mennella's hat trick was her third this season and 24th of her career. 
- Steck's hat trick was the first of her career.